Miriam Schoenfield
@miriamschoenfield.bsky.social
I post mostly about freeway fighting, urbanism, and environmentalism, especially as they relate to Austin, TX - the city I first fell in love with when I began to fall in love with cities.
Most of you know me from transportation, but I also direct UT's prison-ed program and we need your support! Our instructors are volunteers, but we rely on community funds to pay for books and supplies. Our fundraiser goes through the end of August. 💚
give.utexas.edu/texas-prison...
give.utexas.edu/texas-prison...
Texas Prison Education Initiative
Join me in supporting prison education—make a gift to the Texas Prison Education Initiative!
give.utexas.edu
August 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Most of you know me from transportation, but I also direct UT's prison-ed program and we need your support! Our instructors are volunteers, but we rely on community funds to pay for books and supplies. Our fundraiser goes through the end of August. 💚
give.utexas.edu/texas-prison...
give.utexas.edu/texas-prison...
What would it to take to make Austin's Lady Bird Lake swimmable? 😍🏊
Especially as temperatures rise, this would be of tremendous value to the city!
Especially as temperatures rise, this would be of tremendous value to the city!
Paris opens river Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923 reut.rs/4nzVLu6
Paris opens river Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923
Parisians rushed for a dip in the Seine on Saturday as the authorities opened the river to public swimming for the first time since 1923 after an extensive clean-up operation spurred on by it being used as a venue in the Paris Olympics.
reut.rs
July 6, 2025 at 6:06 PM
What would it to take to make Austin's Lady Bird Lake swimmable? 😍🏊
Especially as temperatures rise, this would be of tremendous value to the city!
Especially as temperatures rise, this would be of tremendous value to the city!
Austinites: milk cartons, disposable coffee cups, etc should now be recycled!
www.austintexas.gov/recycling
www.austintexas.gov/recycling
Residential Recycling Collection
Austin Resource Recovery provides curbside collection of recycling to single-family households up to four-plexes in Austin. Place mixed paper, hard plastic (no bags), metal and glass directly in your ...
www.austintexas.gov
June 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Austinites: milk cartons, disposable coffee cups, etc should now be recycled!
www.austintexas.gov/recycling
www.austintexas.gov/recycling
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
SB 15 has now been revived and scheduled for the Tuesday calendar, after being killed by a point of order earlier today
An impressive organizing effort, required emergency meetings of two different committees to vote the bill through today, great job y’all!
An impressive organizing effort, required emergency meetings of two different committees to vote the bill through today, great job y’all!
Please call (512) 463-1000 ASAP and ask Speaker Burrows to bring SB 15 (allows smaller lot sizes) as a major state bill!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
May 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
SB 15 has now been revived and scheduled for the Tuesday calendar, after being killed by a point of order earlier today
An impressive organizing effort, required emergency meetings of two different committees to vote the bill through today, great job y’all!
An impressive organizing effort, required emergency meetings of two different committees to vote the bill through today, great job y’all!
Please call (512) 463-1000 ASAP and ask Speaker Burrows to bring SB 15 (allows smaller lot sizes) as a major state bill!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
May 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Please call (512) 463-1000 ASAP and ask Speaker Burrows to bring SB 15 (allows smaller lot sizes) as a major state bill!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
Just did it - it takes less than a minute. Thank you!!
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
Air pollution kills millions of people worldwide every year, and without research and air pollution standards, millions more will die.
Landmark air-pollution lab under threat from Trump cuts — can it be saved?
The US government is shutting down a state-of-the-art facility that has provided data to inform health and environment regulations for decades.
go.nature.com
May 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Air pollution kills millions of people worldwide every year, and without research and air pollution standards, millions more will die.
NYTimes didn't flag this, but the most consistent increase in police killings since 2020 in this graph is by VEHICLE, currently outpacing all the other non-gun methods.
Any idea why this would be? Size?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/u...
Any idea why this would be? Size?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/u...
May 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NYTimes didn't flag this, but the most consistent increase in police killings since 2020 in this graph is by VEHICLE, currently outpacing all the other non-gun methods.
Any idea why this would be? Size?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/u...
Any idea why this would be? Size?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/24/u...
Why not do your Saturday walk at the state capitol and save Project Connect while you're at it? 👣🛤️
Action item for all transit enthusiasts to save Project Connect! docs.google.com/document/d/1...
TXSC Call to Action to Save Project Connect!
Help Save Project Connect, Transit and Bike Lanes! Leave an “OPPOSE” card at Representatives’ offices for the following bills ASAP, through Tuesday 5/13 The Bills HB 3879, Troxclair: targets Austin’s...
docs.google.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Why not do your Saturday walk at the state capitol and save Project Connect while you're at it? 👣🛤️
Make three quick calls this weekend (before Monday at 10) to save Project Connect!
Just these 3 numbers and say (likely on voicemail) that you oppose SB 2519. The state should not override the will of Austin voters for transit!
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Just these 3 numbers and say (likely on voicemail) that you oppose SB 2519. The state should not override the will of Austin voters for transit!
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
May 3, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Make three quick calls this weekend (before Monday at 10) to save Project Connect!
Just these 3 numbers and say (likely on voicemail) that you oppose SB 2519. The state should not override the will of Austin voters for transit!
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Just these 3 numbers and say (likely on voicemail) that you oppose SB 2519. The state should not override the will of Austin voters for transit!
More info: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Another person killed on I-35 in Austin.
This is your annual reminder that fatal crashes on TxDOT roads in Austin are increasing, while City of Austin efforts to increase safety are yielding results.
www.kvue.com/article/news...
This is your annual reminder that fatal crashes on TxDOT roads in Austin are increasing, while City of Austin efforts to increase safety are yielding results.
www.kvue.com/article/news...
April 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Another person killed on I-35 in Austin.
This is your annual reminder that fatal crashes on TxDOT roads in Austin are increasing, while City of Austin efforts to increase safety are yielding results.
www.kvue.com/article/news...
This is your annual reminder that fatal crashes on TxDOT roads in Austin are increasing, while City of Austin efforts to increase safety are yielding results.
www.kvue.com/article/news...
"In Mississauga, Ontario, the 130-acre Square One district is undergoing a huge transformation, with thousands of residential units set to replace some of its 8,000 parking spaces. Last spring...Toronto announced plans to develop up to 130 parking lots across the city to support housing."😍
How To Fix Canada’s Housing Crisis - Macleans.ca
Twenty-five bold, entirely doable ways to make Canada affordable again
macleans.ca
March 17, 2025 at 8:37 PM
"In Mississauga, Ontario, the 130-acre Square One district is undergoing a huge transformation, with thousands of residential units set to replace some of its 8,000 parking spaces. Last spring...Toronto announced plans to develop up to 130 parking lots across the city to support housing."😍
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
A new CDC report shows that pedestrian deaths fell across the rich world 2013-2022 -- but not in the USA.
Americans were 50% more likely to die walking in 2022 than they would have been in 2013.
By 2022, the US was more deadly for pedestrians than all other countries studied.
Americans were 50% more likely to die walking in 2022 than they would have been in 2013.
By 2022, the US was more deadly for pedestrians than all other countries studied.
Pedestrian and Overall Road Traffic Crash Deaths ...
This report describes traffic-related deaths rates in the ...
www.cdc.gov
March 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A new CDC report shows that pedestrian deaths fell across the rich world 2013-2022 -- but not in the USA.
Americans were 50% more likely to die walking in 2022 than they would have been in 2013.
By 2022, the US was more deadly for pedestrians than all other countries studied.
Americans were 50% more likely to die walking in 2022 than they would have been in 2013.
By 2022, the US was more deadly for pedestrians than all other countries studied.
Austin's I-35 expansion is in Scientific American:
"Widening projects are sold to the public by touting benefits that won’t last, but their unadvertised costs will remain for decades."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
"Widening projects are sold to the public by touting benefits that won’t last, but their unadvertised costs will remain for decades."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Widening Highways Doesn’t Fix Traffic. Here’s What Can
Highway widening projects usually don’t solve congestion, but less expensive toll programs known as congestion pricing can. Here’s why
www.scientificamerican.com
March 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Austin's I-35 expansion is in Scientific American:
"Widening projects are sold to the public by touting benefits that won’t last, but their unadvertised costs will remain for decades."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
"Widening projects are sold to the public by touting benefits that won’t last, but their unadvertised costs will remain for decades."
www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-...
Great article!
Seattle could meet its 30% tree canopy goal much quicker by converting a quarter of its 500,000 on-street parking spaces. The paving-to-planting conversion would convey many benefits, cooling neighborhoods and absorbing runoff.
Op-ed: www.theurbanist.org/2025/02/22/o...
Op-ed: www.theurbanist.org/2025/02/22/o...
February 23, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Great article!
Fascinating!
Fascinating research finds that the expansion of China's high-speed rail played a big role in increasing >electric car< uptake.
Cities where high-speed rail arrived first had higher EV purchasing. Authors argue this may be because of HSR's power to reduce range anxiety.
www.nber.org/system/files...
Cities where high-speed rail arrived first had higher EV purchasing. Authors argue this may be because of HSR's power to reduce range anxiety.
www.nber.org/system/files...
February 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Fascinating!
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
Today in unsurprising but important news:
Building bike lanes increases bikeshare usage
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
Building bike lanes increases bikeshare usage
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
February 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Today in unsurprising but important news:
Building bike lanes increases bikeshare usage
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
Building bike lanes increases bikeshare usage
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
Info for protest on Monday if you're in Austin or nearby. If you make a sign, I recommend something simple on foamboard & anti-Elon.
Firing Elon is a limited, achievable goal. Dems will need people on the ground to show them their base is on board for playing hardball with the March 14th shutdown.
Firing Elon is a limited, achievable goal. Dems will need people on the ground to show them their base is on board for playing hardball with the March 14th shutdown.
February 16, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Info for protest on Monday if you're in Austin or nearby. If you make a sign, I recommend something simple on foamboard & anti-Elon.
Firing Elon is a limited, achievable goal. Dems will need people on the ground to show them their base is on board for playing hardball with the March 14th shutdown.
Firing Elon is a limited, achievable goal. Dems will need people on the ground to show them their base is on board for playing hardball with the March 14th shutdown.
🥳
At last, parking in Austin bike lanes is illegal!
As CM Vela points out, the long-term solution is better protected bike infrastructure, but this is still a good step in the right direction.
Special thanks to CM Ellis for leading on this change!
As CM Vela points out, the long-term solution is better protected bike infrastructure, but this is still a good step in the right direction.
Special thanks to CM Ellis for leading on this change!
Austin just made it illegal to park in bike lanes
Thursday's unanimous vote means violators will be ticketed and fined. Fees could range from $50 to $300.
www.kut.org
February 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
🥳
Austin's HOME allows 3 units per lot. And that's *just below* what we need.
"In sum, investors..may not see much benefit in buying a single-family home, tearing it down, and replacing it with 2-3 units ....[In Portland] permits for fourplexes have far outnumbered those for duplexes and triplexes."
"In sum, investors..may not see much benefit in buying a single-family home, tearing it down, and replacing it with 2-3 units ....[In Portland] permits for fourplexes have far outnumbered those for duplexes and triplexes."
Over @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, my new research on the financial feasibility of small-scale apartment buildings.
Right now, high land costs & high debt costs combine to make duplexes & triplexes really difficult to build.
Cities need to enable 5, 6, 7+ unit buildings if they want more housing.
Right now, high land costs & high debt costs combine to make duplexes & triplexes really difficult to build.
Cities need to enable 5, 6, 7+ unit buildings if they want more housing.
Small Apartment Buildings Can Help Address Housing Shortages, but High Land Costs and Interest Rates Are Limiting Construction
Recent zoning reforms intended to encourage more duplexes and triplexes have underperformed because high land costs and interest rates mean single-family homes are often still more profitable.
www.urban.org
February 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Austin's HOME allows 3 units per lot. And that's *just below* what we need.
"In sum, investors..may not see much benefit in buying a single-family home, tearing it down, and replacing it with 2-3 units ....[In Portland] permits for fourplexes have far outnumbered those for duplexes and triplexes."
"In sum, investors..may not see much benefit in buying a single-family home, tearing it down, and replacing it with 2-3 units ....[In Portland] permits for fourplexes have far outnumbered those for duplexes and triplexes."
Let's go Austin!!
Cambridge is 6.4 sq mi. The Austin equivalent would be bounded by Lamar and I-35 from the river to 290, all 6 stories.
Are we gonna let Cambridge beat us at the housing game? Or do we have the guts to beat them too?
Are we gonna let Cambridge beat us at the housing game? Or do we have the guts to beat them too?
I can’t believe it - after years of advocacy, exclusionary zoning has ended in Cambridge.
We just passed the single most comprehensive rezoning in the US—legalizing multifamily housing up to 6 stories citywide in a Paris style
Here’s the details 🧵
We just passed the single most comprehensive rezoning in the US—legalizing multifamily housing up to 6 stories citywide in a Paris style
Here’s the details 🧵
February 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Let's go Austin!!
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
Rest in peace, Professor Shoup (1938-2025)
We will keep up the good work.
Share your stories and thoughts with the parking reform community here: parkingreform.org/donald-shoup
We will keep up the good work.
Share your stories and thoughts with the parking reform community here: parkingreform.org/donald-shoup
February 8, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Rest in peace, Professor Shoup (1938-2025)
We will keep up the good work.
Share your stories and thoughts with the parking reform community here: parkingreform.org/donald-shoup
We will keep up the good work.
Share your stories and thoughts with the parking reform community here: parkingreform.org/donald-shoup
Pedestrians and bicyclists will have to cross EIGHT lanes of fast moving frontage roads to access the I-35 cap from downtown. 🙄. Pathetic. (p.26 of ACT publicinput.com/Customer/Fil...).
Absolute MAX # of lanes here should be 4.
Absolute MAX # of lanes here should be 4.
February 8, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Pedestrians and bicyclists will have to cross EIGHT lanes of fast moving frontage roads to access the I-35 cap from downtown. 🙄. Pathetic. (p.26 of ACT publicinput.com/Customer/Fil...).
Absolute MAX # of lanes here should be 4.
Absolute MAX # of lanes here should be 4.
Also in Cedar Park 💔 www.kut.org/politics/202...
February 7, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Also in Cedar Park 💔 www.kut.org/politics/202...
Happy car free day to those celebrating! Mayor Enrique Peñalosa who started this tradition in 2000 is one of my urbanist heroes. Read up on him if you need some good vibes!
www.reuters.com/video/watch/...
www.reuters.com/video/watch/...
Bogota goes car free for a day to curb traffic, pollution
Streets in Bogota were car-free on Thursday (February 6) as part of the city’s fight against air pollution, encouraging locals to use means of transportation such as buses, bicycles, and scooters. Veta Chan produced this report.
www.reuters.com
February 7, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Happy car free day to those celebrating! Mayor Enrique Peñalosa who started this tradition in 2000 is one of my urbanist heroes. Read up on him if you need some good vibes!
www.reuters.com/video/watch/...
www.reuters.com/video/watch/...
Reposted by Miriam Schoenfield
"The most abundant nanoplastic was tyre particles (41%), then polystyrene (28%) and polyethylene (12%). Each tyre on the world’s 1.6bn vehicles can lose 4kg during its lifetimes and may be the largest source of tiny plastic pollution."
Vehicle tyres found to be biggest source of nanoplastics in the high Alps
Mountaineers now scaling more peaks for first global study of nanoplastics, which can enter lungs and bloodstream
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:23 AM
"The most abundant nanoplastic was tyre particles (41%), then polystyrene (28%) and polyethylene (12%). Each tyre on the world’s 1.6bn vehicles can lose 4kg during its lifetimes and may be the largest source of tiny plastic pollution."